Lighting string storage device

ABSTRACT

A device comprises two identical side structures (or halves) attached to each other. The side structures are separable for packaging and storage. Each side structure comprises an outer ring attached to a concentric, elevated inner ring by at least one spanning support. The inner ring comprises a handle attached to the inner perimeter of the inner ring. Each side structure comprises at least one projecting attachment tang and at least one receiving notch. The attachment tang further comprises a head element and a body element. The body element extends axially from the inner ring and the head element extends radially from the body element. The attachment tang and receiving notch are located on the inner ring such that when two side structures are brought together, the attachment tang on one side structure mates with, and is received by, the corresponding receiving notch on the second side structure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of ornamental lighting strings. More specifically, the present invention is a storage device useful in the storage of ornamental lighting strings and the like.

BACKGROUND

Storage of ornamental lighting strings can be a challenge. Each year, typically during the Christmas holiday season, many people perform the tedious task of untangling strings of lights. When the season has past, attempts are made using various devices and methods to roll, wind, or store the strings neatly in order to avoid cord tangles and bulb damage. Results are often less than successful. Variations upon these devices and methods proliferate in the prior art.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,064,067, to McCallister, et al., discloses a frame like device with a plurality of tapered tooth-like projections for wedging the light cord within the formed “V's”. This system accommodates only certain sized cords and can accommodate only a limited length of string or strings which is dependent on the number of formed “V's”. In addition the device fails to disclose a safe storage device to avoid bulb breakage.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,999, to Lee, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,899, to Rabbitt, describe a light packaging device for viewing, testing and eventual retail sale of light strings. Although the specification in Lee, et al., indicates the device is for storage of lights, the repackaging of Christmas lights in the device is extremely complex and time consuming. In addition, the devices are designed to hold only one string of lights.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,965, to Miller, discloses a cardboard core around which Christmas lights are wrapped. In addition, the device does not have a notch for holding the beginning or end of the string and is designed for only one light string.

U.S. Pat. No. Design 339,976 to Ferguson, Sr., discloses a combined reel and cover with a crank for storage of Christmas lights. The device appears bulky and expensive to manufacture and fails to keep different light strings separated.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,323 to Wing, discloses a cylindrical device with several circular crowns with slits for inserting separate light bulbs of a Christmas light string. This device suffers due to its complexity and is very time consuming to use.

The shortcomings of these prior art devices are overcome by the present invention.

The use of reels is known in the prior art. More specifically, reels heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of storing cord and string are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,833 to Dubay discloses a retrievable electric cord reel.

U.S. Pat. No. Des. 314,910 to Van Skiver discloses a cord storage reel.

U.S. Pat. No. Des. 334,882 to Bunch discloses a combined electric cord reel and dispenser.

U.S. Pat. No. Des. 334,334 to Jarry discloses an extension cord reel.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,520,239 to Schwartz discloses an electrical cord reel and storage system.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,430 to Bonhard discloses a power cord storage and dispenser.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,984 to Bayat discloses an electric cord reel.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a light string storage reel for storing strings of lights and light accessories in a neat and organized fashion.

In this respect, the light string storage reel according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of storing strings of lights and light accessories in a neat and organized fashion.

Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for new and improved light string storage reel which can be used for storing strings of lights and light accessories in a neat and organized fashion. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a light string storage reel that comprises a single part that, in pairs, forms a functional light string storage reel.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a light string storage reel that has a minimal shipping cube, which reduces manufacturing and shipping cost.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a storage reel that utilizes a tang and notch system to assemble the reel.

It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a storage reel half that has substantially L-shaped tang that interacts with a notch in a matching half to create a storage reel for light strings.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its structure and its operation together with the additional object and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art or arts. If any other meaning is intended, the specification will specifically state that a special meaning is being applied to a word or phrase. Likewise, the use of the words “function” or “means” in the Description of Preferred Embodiments is not intended to indicate a desire to invoke the special provision of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, are sought to be invoked to define the invention(s), the claims will specifically state the phrases “means for” or “step for” and a function, without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material, or act in support of the function. Even when the claims recite a “means for” or “step for” performing a function, if they also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means of step, then the intention is not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, are invoked to define the inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function, along with any and all known or later-developed equivalent structures, materials or acts for performing the claimed function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the reel.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of halves of the reel in a stacked configuration.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the reel.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the reel.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the reel.

FIG. 6 is a back view of the reel.

FIG. 7 is a left view of the reel.

FIG. 8 is a right view of the reel.

FIG. 9 illustrates how the reel halves stack together.

FIG. 10 is a front view of stacked reel halves.

FIG. 11 is a close-up view of the center of a reel half.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the reel.

FIG. 13 is a perspective cut-away view of the reel.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a reel 10 for storing flexible linear objects, such as electrical extension cords, ornamental light strings and the like.

The reel 10 according to the present invention comprises a single element or reel half 15 that, when attached to a second identical reel half, forms a complete reel structure.

Each reel half 15 comprises a ring 30. The preferably form of the ring 30 comprises an inner ring 31 attached to an outer ring 33 by at least one, preferably eight to ten spanning supports 32. The spanning supports 32 displace the inner ring 31 from the outer ring in an axial direction. In the preferred embodiment, the spanning supports 32 are angularly oriented between the inner ring 31 and the outer ring 33, thereby forming a frustum.

In the preferred embodiment, the outer ring 33 has a plurality of apertures formed in the body of the outer ring 33. This plurality of apertures is primarily used to reduce materials cost, but may also be used by the user to determine the fill level of the reel when in use.

The inner ring 31 includes at least two attachment tangs 35 located adjacent to an inner perimeter 34. These attachment tangs 35 are substantially perpendicular or axially oriented to the body of the inner ring 31. There are also at least two attachment tang receiving notches 39 located at or adjacent the inner perimeter 34. The preferred form of each attachment tang 35 is substantially L-shaped with two legs, an axial leg 37 and a radial leg 38. The axial leg 37 spans the distance between the radial leg 38 and in inner ring 31.

Each attachment tang receiving notch 39 is essentially a key-hole like notch or aperture, comprising a head element 38′ and a body element 37′, wherein the head element 38′ of the notch 39 is larger than the body element 37′, the head element 38′ being sized large enough to receive the radial leg 38 portion of the attachment tang 35. The body element 37′ of the notch 39 is smaller and sized only to receive the axial leg 37 of the tang 35, but not the radial leg 38.

Preferably, the attachment tang receiving notches 39 are near or adjacent the attachment tangs 35. The number of perpendicular attachment tangs 35 should match the number of attachment notches 39 located near the inner perimeter 34 of the inner ring 31. The attachment tang 35 and attachment tang receiving notch 39 are located on the inner ring 31 such that when two reel halves 15 are brought together, the radial leg 38 of the attachment tang 35 on one reel half 15 mates with, and is received by a matching head element 38′ of the attachment tang receiving notch 39 located on the inner ring 31 of the second reel half 15. The two reel halves 15 are then rotated relative to each other such that the axial leg 38 of each tang 35 is received by the body element 37′ of each notch 39.

There is a handle 50 attached to the inner perimeter 34 of the inner ring 31. The inner ring 31 includes a handle body 50. The handle body 50 fills substantially half of the center of the inner ring 31, thereby providing stability to the inner ring 31 and a grasping surface for the user when the reel 10 is assembled. A portion of the handle body 50 projects axially from the plane of the inner ring 31 forming a hollowed out wedge shape. The handle body 50 includes a bisecting edge 51, a front face 52 attached to the bisecting edge 51 forming an angle between the front face 52 and the plane of the inner ring 31, an arcuate edge 54 at the perimeter of the front face 52 and extending between the ends of the bisecting edge 51, a rear surface 55 that extends between the arcuate edge 54 and the inner perimeter of the inner ring 31. Located at or around the center point of the bisecting edge is an aperture 56 formed by an aperture arcuate edge 57, which when a rigid objected is inserted into the aperture 56, allows easy and convenient rotation of the reel 10 thereby facilitating easy wrapping and unwrapping of the linear object. Additionally there are at least one, preferably two, pairs of slits 58, which are supplied to receive and store male ends of electrical cords or light strings. Alternately, the pair of slits 58 may have a key-hole outline.

In use, a linear object, such as an electrical extension cord or ornamental light string may then be easily wrapped around the resulting complete reel 10. For easy unwrapping, a rigid object may be inserted into the aperture 23 and the linear object is pulled, allowing the reel 10 to rotate about the rigid object. It has been found that, for certain ornamental light strings, gravity is sufficient to unwind the ornamental light string, thereby requiring very little effort by the user.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is described above in the Drawings and Description of Preferred Embodiments. While these descriptions directly describe the above embodiments, it is understood that those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/or variations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Any such modifications or variations that fall within the purview of this description are intended to be included therein as well. Unless specifically noted, it is the intention of the inventor that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meanings to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art(s). The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment and best mode of the invention known to the applicant at the time of filing the application has been presented and is intended for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in the light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

1. A reel that comprises two identical side structures attached to each other, each of said identical side structure comprising: an outer ring attached to an inner ring by at least one spanning support, the inner ring further comprising a handle attached to an inner perimeter of the inner ring, the handle including a central aperture; each side further comprising at least one projecting attachment tang and at least one attachment tang receiving notch, the attachment tang and attachment tang receiving notch located on the inner ring such that when two reel halves are brought together, the attachment tang on one reel half mates with, and is received by a matching attachment tang receiving notch located on the inner ring of the second reel half.
 2. The reel half of the reel according to claim 1 wherein the attachment tang further comprises a radial leg attached to the inner ring by an axial let and the attachment tang receiving notch further comprises a head element and a body element.
 3. The reel half of the reel according to claim 1 wherein the handle is substantially D-shaped.
 4. The reel half of the reel according to claim 2 wherein the handle is substantially D-shaped.
 5. A method for assembling a reel comprising the steps of: a) providing two essentially identical reel sides, each essentially identical reel side comprising an outer ring attached to an inner ring by at least one spanning support, the inner ring further comprising a handle attached to an inner perimeter of the inner ring, the handle including a central aperture; each side further comprising at least one projecting attachment tang and at least one attachment tang receiving notch, the attachment tang and attachment tang receiving notch located on the inner ring such that when two reel halves are brought together, the attachment tang on one reel half mates with, and is received by a matching attachment tang receiving notch located on the inner ring of the second reel half; b) bring the inner rings of each of the two ring sides together such that the radial leg of the attachment tangs of each ring side is received by the head element of the attachment tang receiving notches of the other reel half, c) rotating one ring side relative to the other ring side such that the attachment tang of each reel side is received by the attachment tang receiving notch of the other reel half.
 6. The method according to claim 5 wherein the attachment tang further comprises a radial leg attached to the inner ring by an axial let and the attachment tang receiving notch further comprises a head element and a body element.
 7. The method according to claim 5 wherein the handle is substantially D-shaped.
 8. The method according to claim 6 wherein the handle is substantially D-shaped. 